Cement-step form.



H. D. CORNELIUS. CEMENT STEP FORM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.31, 1910 1, 1 06,627. Patented Aug. 11, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Ill," 0 /0 A TITORNEY.

THE NORRIS PETERS CO4. FHOTO-LITHQ. WASHINGTON. D. C.

H. D. CORNELIUS. CEMENT STEP FORM.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.31, 1910.

1,106,627. Patented Aug. 11, 191% 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W g"- Q35 m flfiwwm JMW ATTORNEY.

@MTED STATES PATENT UFFICE.

HENRY D. CORNELIUS, 0F INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA.

CEMENT- 2E? FORM.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, HENRY D. CORNELIUS, acitizen of the United States, residing at Indianapolis, in the county ofMarion and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Cement-Step Forms; and I do declare the following to bea full, clear, and exact description of the invention, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures ofreference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to forms for constructing steps of cement orplastic material and has reference more particularly to ad justablegages whereby the steps may be made accurately and symmetrically inuniform proportions.

The object of the invention is to provide means that may be quickly andaccurately adjusted and readily supported in position for moldingplastic material, so as to constitute steps, a further object being toprovide cement step forms that may be. cheaply produced and beadaptedfor general use for shaping the fronts and tops of concrete work notonly in constructing the steps, but in forming base stones for fencingor in making curbing, to the end that concrete work of theabovementioned character may be produced cheaply without entailing thenecessity for using various measuring tools, and cutting and fittingtimber which in many cases is lost because of being of undesirableproportions for subsequent Work that may be required.

The invention comprises essentially a plurality of step gages, each ofwhich has two approximately right angled limbs and clamping deviceswhereby one limb may be adjustablysecured to a limb of either of theother step gages to gage the height and width of the steps, means foranchoring one of the limbs of each of a plurality of the step gages tosupport the others, means for shaping the fronts of the steps, and meansfor shaping the tops of the steps; and the invention consists further inthe parts, and combinations and arrangements of parts, as hereinafterparticularly described and then defined in the accompanying claims.

Referring to the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pair ofthestep gages to which is connected a guide to be used in striking offthe surplus material from the top of a step when formed; Fig. 2, afragmentary sectional view showing a cement Specification of LettersPatent.

Application filed January 31, 1910.

Patented Aug. 11, 1914:.

Serial No. 541,048.

step in the course of construction by the use of the improved forms;Fig. 3, a top plan of the improved forms partially broken away; Fig. 1,a front elevation and Fig. 5, a top plan of one of the step gages; Fig.6, a fragmentary vertical section on the line A A in Fig. 2; Fig. 7, aperspective View of one of the anchoring devices for adjustablysupporting the step gages; Fig. 8, a fragmentary horizontal section onthe line B B in Fig. 2; Fig. 9, a perspective view of one of the clampplates for securing the step gages together; Fig. 10, a perspective viewof one of the step gages; Fig. 11, a perspective View of one part of animproved adjustable planer adapted to be used between the planes of thestep gages and adjustable thereto for evening plastic material on thetops of the steps; Fig. 12, a perspective view of another part of theplaner; Fig. 13, a longitudinal sectional view of the adjustable planer;Fig. 14:, a longitudinal section of the planer on the line C C in Fig.13; and Fig. 15, a transverse sectional view of the planer on the line DD in Fig. 13.

Similar reference characters throughout the drawings indicate like partsor features of construction herein referred to.

The gages whereby the dimensions of the steps are determined arepreferably all made alike, so as to be interchangeable and as a matterof convenience in connecting them together without confusion, as anyrequired number may be connected together, depend ent upon the number ofsteps to be constructed, and they may be anchored by various means, thestep forms preferably comprising one or more base timbers'or plates 1which are to be placed so as to form a foundation and may be suitablysecured on the surface of the ground, a suitable number of identicalsupporting braces being provided, each comprising a base or foot-plate 2adapted to be secured removably by nails or otherwise on the timber ortimbers and a standard 3 formed integral with the base plate and havinga vertical slot 4: therein to receive a carriage bolt 5 provided with anut 63. Each step gage comprises preferably two integral limbs 7 and 8or 7 and 8 of identical construction, the limbs being approximately atright angles, but preferably at slightly obtuse angles, and havelongitudinal slots 9 and 10 therein respectively, the limb 7 beingdesigned to be used in approximately horizontal position, and the limb 8in upright position. The lower portion of the rearward part of the limb8 or S has a pair of lateral cars 11 and 11 on" opposite sides thereofin which are apertures 12 and 12 respectively to receive screws ornails, and

beneath the limb is an integral pivot 13 having a T-head l4;- e'xtendingunder the ears. The upper side of the limb 7 or 7 has a gage 15 thereoncomprlsing marks corre sponding to inches and fractions thereof,

and numerals 16 indicating inches from the rearward end of the limbcorresponding to the rearward edge of the other limb 8 or 8, the frontof the latter havlng a similar gage '17 and numerals 18 thereonindicating.

inches upward from the under side of the limb? 01 7. Two bolts 5extendthrough the slot 9 of one limb and also through the slots 4 in twoof the standards 3 whereby the limb is adjustably secured removably tothe standards.

Two clamp plates 19 and 19 areemployed for 'adjustably securing two ofthe step gages together each plate having guideblocksf20 and 20 on oneside of opposite end portions thereof and guide tongues 21 and 21extending from the guide blocks,

each clamp plate having a central bolt hole 22 therein to receive aclamp bolt, the clamp plate 19 being placed against the limb 'Z' of onestep gage and the guide tongues thereof extendlng into the slot 10 ofthe limb 8 of another. step gage whereby to guide the limb 7 and supportit rigidly, the clamp plate 19 being placed against the upright limb 8and the tongues thereof extending 1nto the slot 9 to assist in guidingthe limb 7 and a screw bolt 23 is placed in the apertures 22 of theclamp plate and extends through the slots 9 and 10 into the aperture ofthe clamp plate 19 which is suitably V screw-threaded, the screw-bolthaving a wing head 2 1' thereon engaging the outer side of the clampplate 19, whereby all the connected parts may be rigidlysccuredtogether' when adjusted, it being designed that the arm 7 be adjustedwith respect to 'the gage 17 to determine the height of the step andalso adjusted horizontally'withrespect' to the limbs and the gage 15 tode termine and govern the width of the top or tread of the step. It willbe understood that the-angles of the clamp plates are pref- Verablydesigned so that when the limb 8 turned on the pivot 13, theoppositeend of each'guide hoving oif set 'li'p Qumran,

the under side of which coincidesi'with the; 7

plane of the topof the guide, the lipslbe ing adapted to rest upon thetop of a form plate or board 28 Which is provided to form" the frontsof. the steps, and it willbefunderr stood that the form platesmay beadapted to ive an desired confi urationto the surface of the front ofthe step, Thel upp'er side of the form plate constitutes a straight edgeto determine the positions ofthe guides, so that their upper sidesshallfcoincide with the plane of the under sides of the limbs A pair ofend forms; 29:1 wage are provided for shaping the ends o f,the stepswhen the latter are" not built lagainst a wall. 7

The adjustable planer. is composed tions of relatively thin stiff sheetironjor bar iron and are L-shaped in cross-section,;each;

planer preferably'being composed} of; sectlons that are adustable-jlengthwlse seas to be extensible and jc'ontractible, One sec.-

tion comprises two integral .right angle, l

plates 30 and 31 having longitudinal; slots 32 and 33 respectivelytherein, another: sec

tion comprising two right angle plates 34:

and 35 having flush-headed bolts 36"an di 37' a connected theretorespectively an end portion thereof, so as tobe removable, theiboltspreferably being of the type knownfas stove 7 bolts and squaredundertheheadsto prevent turning when being tightened, the boltsextending through the slots 32fand 33 and having, wing-nuts 38 and "39thereon re spectively whereby the two sections are con- 7 nectedtogether adjustably, the plates ,34 and 35 having thesame'fwidth ontheir inner sides as the plates'30 andj31 at their-outer" sides, so thatthefree edges o-ftheplates are flush one section with the; other. Insome cases two sections alone may constitute a planer of suflicientjlength, but, preferably each planer comprises also one or more" otherdetachable sections substantially like "that shown in Fig.12, inwhich-casethe other end portions of theplates '34s and 35 are providedwith bolts 40 and 11 respectively' onwhich are wing-nuts} 42 and Y i 43,and the additionalsection eomprisestwo integral right angle plates 44;and 45 having slots 16 and 17 respectively t-o'freceive the bolts, theinner sides of the platesfbeing of the same width as the outer sidesofthe plates 3% and 35, so that the free; edges of the plates 30, 34 and1 1- shalllie in one and the sameplaneandithe edges of the other plates31, 35 and 45 inanother plane, thus permitting the workmentouseeithervone of V the-two edges on the guides25 and 25 for planing orstriking off the plastic material. In practical use the limbs 7 .of twoor more step gages are connected tobaseftimbers V or plates and arrangedapproximately in the desired position, and then with the nuts so I 6slackened are accurately adjusted so that the limbs 8 shall beperpendicular, after which the nuts must be tightened, and then a formplate 28 is placed behind the limbs 8, after which the limbs 7 of otherstep gages are connected to the limbs 8 and adjusted to the desiredheight and then secured by tightening the bolts 23, it being understoodthat the step gages are arranged so as to be at or near the ends of thesteps. The form plate 28 should then be brought up against the arms 7and suitably held in the desired position, which may be done by drivingnails into it through the apertures 12 or 12, or otherwise. The plasticmaterial may then be placed in position on a suitable foundation behindthe form plate 28 and when brought up nearly to the required height theguides 25 and 25' should be connected to the pivots l3 and the lips 27placed on the top of the form plate, after which the required amount ofmaterial may be added and then struck off by sliding the planer alongthe tops of the guides, which will determine the general contour of thetread of the step. Then the guides may be removed from the pivots andthe places they occupied may be filled by means of a trowel and broughtup to the general surface. If another step is to be built another formplate 28 should then be placed behind the limbs 8, and the limbs 7 ofother step gages should be connected and adjusted to the limbs 8 and thework proceed as above described, additional step gages being employed ifother steps are required. Then the steps are completed as to form, theuppermost step gages and form plates are first removed and then theuppermost steps are given their finishing coats and troweled as usual,the finishing operations proceeding downward and the lowermost forms removed last.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the forms may be readilyreadjusted to build or construct steps of other dimensions, so that oneset of the forms only may be re quired, for a great variety of work.

' Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, isi 1. Acement step form including a member comprising two" approximately rightangled and longitudinally slotted limbs rigidly connected together andhaving an apertured ear thereon near the junction of the two limbs forsecuring the member to a' riser forming member the ear extendingtransversely to the plane of the two limbs on the plane of the outeredge of one of the limbs, and means for fixedly supporting the remainingone of the limbs in approximately horizontal position to hold the car ona vertical plane, said means extending through the slot of the limb.

2. A cement step form including a mem ber comprising two integralapproximately right-angled limbs and having a T-headed pivot at thejunction of the limbs, an upright support horizontally supporting one ofthe limbs with the pivot extending downward, a form-plate standingagainst the support, and a guide having a slot receiving the pivot, theguide being supported by the top of the form-plate and also by the T-head of the pivot.

3. A cement step form including two members each comprising two limbsintegrally connected at one end at approximately rightangles, one limbof each member being normally supported in approximately horizontalposition and supporting the remaining limb in upright position, theupright limbs of the two members having graduated markings thereonrespectively,

and a form plate set up against the outer edge of the two upright limbswith its top coinciding with two of the markings on the two limbsrespectively.

4. A form for molding steps comprising laterally spaced series of endmembers, the members of the respective series being connected in steppedrelation and adjustable relative to one another in the direction oftheir length to project at their rear end be yond the corresponding endof the member below, according to the width of the step treads, andriser forming members mounted against the aforesaid rear ends of the endmembers.

5. In a concrete step form, a plurality of identical interchangeablemembers comprising each an approximately horizontal limb having alongitudinal slot extending substantially throughout its length, and anapproximately vertical limb having a longitudinal slot adjacent one end,the two limbs being integrally connected at one end,the slot in eachhorizontal limb being adapted to receive either a single securingboltbetween its ends or two securing bolts adjacent its ends, a clamp plateengaging the slotted portions of the vertical and horizontal limbs oftwo of the said members respectively and holding them at approximatelyright angles to each other, and a bolt extending through the slots ofsaid limb portions and through the clamp plate and securing the limbstogether.

6. In a concrete step form, the combination of a plurality ofidentically formed members, each member comprising two limbs integrallyconnected at one end at approximately right angles, each limb having alongitudinal slot extending approximately throughout its length, one ofthe two limbs normally being horizontal and the other vertical, aplurality of anchoring devices comprising each a normally horizontalbase plate and a vertical standard thereon having a vertical slottherein, a plurality of bolts 7 in the slot of one of thehorizontallimbs ;;plane,'two members comprising each a limb fixedly supported in,horizontal position and extending across the top of the form plate incontact therewith, each limb having a pivot on the under side of thefarther end thereof, and two guides connected respecitively at one endto the pivot of the two nir- limbsfand extending convergently therefromtof the form plate, theopposite end of each guide being supported at itsupper edge uponrthe top of the form plate.

"8. In a cement step form, the combination of a plurality of identicallyformed "members, each member comprising two limbs inte 'rallyconnectedat one end at approximately right-angles, one limb of each member being.normally arranged horizontally and the other vertically, an anchoringdevice connected to the horizontally arranged limb of one of the membersand adjustable transversely and longitudinally of the limb, and meanssecuring the horizon- :tally arranged limb of another of the mem bers tothe vertically arranged limb of a companion member and permittingvertical 7 and horizontally longitudinal adjustment 'l'lgllt limb havingtwo apertured ears on ofthe horizontally arranged limb relative to; thevertical limb. V

9. In a cement step form, the combination of a member comprlsmg twolimbs 1ntegrally connected at one end at approximately ri 'ht-an 'lesone limb bein -su t3 7 b ported in approximately horizontal position andsupport-lngithe remaining l1mb in upright posltion, the lower portion ofthe upopposite sides facingon the plane of the outer edge of the limb,the inner edge of the limb havinggraduated markings thereon, and a formplate set up against said outer edge and secured' to said ears with itstop coinciding with one of said markings.

10. In a cement step form, the combinatioirof two limbs arrangedtransversely each to the other and face to face, each limb having alongitudinal slot therein, one of the limbs being provided with ananchoring device adapted for uprightly supporting the limb, two clampplates engaging the two limbs respectively, each plate having two guide.blocks on .one'side of opposite end portions thereof that embrace one ofthe copies of'this patent may be obtained for limbs, the plate having.also bolt: hole therein intermediately of the blocks, each block havinga tongue on itsend' that extends-into the slot of the companion limb,

said plates being arranged transversely each to the other and enablingthe upright: limb to fixedly hold the remaininglimb in eX- tendedhorizontal position, and a screw bolt extending through the slots andthe .bolt

holes and clamping said :limbs together and the plates'to the limbs. K e

11. In a cement step form, a device comprising a" straight limb havlng alOIlgltudl:

nal slot therein adjacent to one endportion thereof for receiving aconnecting device, a T-headedpivot on the' opposite end of the limbextending longitudinally relatively to the limb, thelimbbeing adapted*to normally stand vertically, a second limb extending integrally fromone edge of the first 7 described limb at .a point adjacent to the pivotand having a longitudinal slot therein adjacent to the'end thereof forreceiving a supporting device for the limb, two aperv tured earsextending integrally from the opposite edge of the firstdescribed limbat right angles to the plane of the two limbs, graduated markings on theedge of the first described limb adjacent to 'the'slot therein,

and graduated markings on the second described limb adjacent to.the'slottherein.

12. In a cement step formfthe combination of a plurallty of series ofguide supporting members, all the members being ldentically alike, eachmembe'rcomprismg 1 two approximately right'angled limbs, one limb of oneofthe members of eachofQthe series being provided with adjustable an-.

choring devices for fixedly holding the remammg limb of the member invertlcal po .sition, the upper portions of the; vertical limbsadjustably supporting the end portion of one limb'of other members forfixedly holding the remaining limbs of the'members in verticalpositiondistant' froin th'ejfl supporting vertical limbs, aform plate'set up at. the outer side oftwo'of the vertical limbs. two guidespivo-tally connected detachably to twoof the members respectively of twoof the series and eXtendingboir i vergently therefrom to the form plateand supported therebyf'anda planer adapted to be longitudinallycontracted between" the two series of members and slide between themupon said guides.

In testimony whereof, I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- HENRY noon-Nannie} V W'itnesses: j V

HARRY D. PmRsoN,

E. T. Srnvrusa five cents each, byeddressingythe Commissioner ofPatents, Washington, D. 03- r

